Palawan · Month comparison

February vs December

December ranks #1 overall vs February at #4. Peak season builds through December — excellent dry conditions, Christmas atmosphere, and prices rising sharply.

Palawan February — aerial view of the Big Lagoon at El Nido with emerald water surrounded by karst cliffs

February

#4 of 12 months

Best match

The driest month of the year — near-zero rainfall, exceptional water clarity, and peak demand from every direction.

  • ↑February averages just 20mm of rainfall — statistically the driest month in Palawan's calendar; sea conditions are reliable and boat tours almost never cancel
  • ↑Water visibility in the lagoons and dive sites around Coron reaches its annual best; the limestone-filtered turquoise colour that defines Palawan photos is at its most intense
Palawan December — kayaking through turquoise water surrounded by limestone karst mountains at El Nido in peak season

December

#1 of 12 months

Best match

Peak season builds through December — excellent dry conditions, Christmas atmosphere, and prices rising sharply.

  • ↑December is reliably dry at 42mm and sunny — boat tours operate every day and the water is returning to its peak-season clarity; excellent conditions
  • ↑Christmas and New Year create a genuinely festive atmosphere in El Nido town — Filipino hospitality at its most celebratory; the island is worth experiencing in the festive season
FactorFebruaryDecember
Weather score
10
9
Value score
2
3
Crowd score
2
3
Events score
5
6
Atmosphere
8
8
Avg high temp30°C29°C
Monthly rain20mm42mm
Daily sunshine8.8hrs7.8hrs

February trade-offs

  • ↓Prices are at or near their annual peak — comparable to January; budget options book out completely and mid-range properties charge a premium
  • ↓The most popular attractions (Big Lagoon, Kayangan Lake in Coron, Nacpan Beach) are as busy as they will be all year
  • ↓Temperatures start climbing toward 30°C — still manageable, but the heat on exposed limestone boat decks is noticeable by midday

December trade-offs

  • ↓Prices jump sharply from the second week of December — Christmas and New Year week are the most expensive period of the year in some properties, comparable to January
  • ↓The week between Christmas and New Year brings maximum crowd pressure: boats are full, Nacpan Beach is packed, and El Nido town is at its busiest
  • ↓Pre-Christmas week (December 22–25) and New Year's Eve can feel chaotic rather than festive if you are unprepared for Filipino Christmas scale
See all 12 months for Palawan →February in detail →December in detail →
Scores compare months within Palawan. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →